DILG chief Remulla says Manny Pangilinan invited to investigation of Ateneo drowning

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has invited business leader Manny V. Pangilinan to appear on Thursday in its probe of the drowning incident that killed Ateneo De Manila University basketball players Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Wednesday.

Remulla said the investigation is almost complete, and the complaints may already be filed on Friday.

"Huling araw na lang ng aming pagsusuri sa nangyari sa Aurora. Ang natitira na lang ay ilang dating players at ang management ng Ateneo," Remulla said.

"Ngayon po ay si Fr. Nemy at bukas ay ipapatawag sina Manny Pangilinan at si Fr. Bobby Yap, yung presidente ng Ateneo. Halos tapos na ang imbestigasyon namin, medyo conclusive na," he added.

(Tomorrow will be the final day of our investigation into what happened in Aurora. The only people left to hear from are a few former players and the Ateneo management. Today, we will hear from Fr. Nemy, and tomorrow we will summon Manny Pangilinan and Fr. Bobby Yap, the president of Ateneo. Our investigation is almost complete, and our findings are already becoming conclusive.)

The CIDG earlier gathered information on the alleged involvement of Smart Communications in managing Ateneo's basketball team.

The MVP Sports Foundation has denied owning or managing the team.

As with all of the sports programs we support, the MVPSF’s role is limited to providing funding. The foundation does not own or manage the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team,” said Alfredo Panlilio, president of the foundation.

Ateneo President Fr. Roberto Yap appeared before the CIDG on Wednesday.

Remulla also said Fr. Nemesio “Nemi” Que, Ateneo’s vice president for social development, who oversees student and athletics formation programs, had already been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.

Remulla said Wednesday that charges are set to be filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, as authorities are nearing the completion of their investigation into the deaths of Ateneo basketball players.

He said investigators are now in the final stage of their probe, with only a few former players and members of the Ateneo management left to be questioned.

“Halos tapos na ang imbestigasyon namin. Medyo conclusive na. Sa Biyernes, isusumite namin sa DOJ for filing ang kaso,” Remulla said.

(Our investigation is almost finished. It is already somewhat conclusive. On Friday, we will submit the case to the DOJ for filing.) –NB, GMA News